Don't let the madness take control

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News Eagle - Hawley, PA

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Posted Mar. 7, 2013 at 3:30 PM

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Posted Mar. 7, 2013 at 3:30 PM

Hawley, Pa.

†

I read a Yahoo! article last year saying the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve are the busiest for online dating sites. Makes sense. People are looking for someone to spend those dates with.

For the women reading this, there is an event coming up that's much bigger. Be prepared for your Valentine dream date to turn into a March nightmare.

What can be so devastating to a new relationship? Two words: March Madness.

Ask anyone who has been married or with their boyfriend for over five years. If their mate is a sports fan, then March is pure madness. Even if the guy isn't a major sports fan, March turns him into a different kind of animal.

Still don't believe me? Just watch commercials between now and April 1. Every chicken wing or casual eating restaurant will highlight the fact that they are "the place" to watch March Madness with 8,000 TVs to capture all the action. Then again, you will see this up close and personal when your new love decides his idea of a great date is one of these eateries. He may even bring his buddies. Don't say I didn't warn you.

To be fair, some women are just as bad. I am a bracketeer. I've been known to turn down a date or two if Ohio State makes it to the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight. If they make it to the Final Four, I can get downright crazy. A guy once told me that I should have my testosterone level checked because of my trash talking when Ohio State beat his team. In response, I told him to go take a Midol and man up. Maybe not the most tactful comeback but hey, we're talking NCAA basketball.

One of my best friends fills out several brackets. She is a normal, functional woman who turns into an NCAA beast once play begins. It reminds me of Bruce Banner turning into the Incredible Hulk.

A possible solution is to watch the game with him. You may enjoy it. If not, he'll appreciate the fact that you tried.

My advice to those who are about to experience this? Relax. You can't change him. He is not going to miss a game to attend a home and garden show with you. Most men would rather have a biopsy on their prostate without anesthesia than go to that kind of activity in the first place.

Call up your girlfriends (the ones who aren't watching the games) and take them. Make a day of it. In fact, you may want to find something to do every weekend until the tournament is over.

Most important, don't take it personally. He is not trying to upset you or cause a fight. March Madness doesn't last forever, but hopefully your relationship will.